FABIO CAPELLO will risk the anger of Liverpool by backing Stuart Pearce’s plan to select Andy Carroll for this summer’s European Under-21 Championships.

Carroll, along with Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, has been earmarked by U21 coach Pearce for the tournament in Denmark, which runs between June 11 and 25.

Liverpool are unhappy at the prospect of their £35m striker

being called up by England for their Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland on June 4 and then having to turn out for the U21s.

Carroll has only recently returned from almost three months out with a thigh problem, and the Anfield outfit believe the forward would be best served by a summer without football.

Pearce met with both Carroll and Wilshere last week and subsequently claimed the duo were receptive to the suggestion of being selected for the U21s.

And Capello yesterday said: “I think these two players will be very important in this tournament.

“For this reason I support Stuart Pearce in his decision. I will support him 100% because I think the players can make a difference for the Under-21s.”

Carroll, an unused substitute in England’s Euro 2012 qualifying win in Wales on Saturday, will make a second start for his country in tonight’s Wembley friendly against Ghana.

And Capello has challenged the 22-year-old to build on his encouraging debut against France back in November.

“Andy is a really good player but he needs more games to be the same player that we knew three months ago,” said the Italian.

“Tomorrow I hope he will fight and run and will do some things during the game that I remember he can do.”

Meanwhile, npower Championship side Derby County will ask to re-sign Daniel Ayala on loan next season.

The defender has made nine appearances, including eight consecutive starts, since joining the Rams on a temporary move until the end of the campaign.

And Derby manager Nigel Clough has been so impressed by Ayala that he would like to take the 20-year-old Spaniard back after the summer.

“Is there a possibility we could see him back on loan next season? We are going to make that inquiry, certainly,” said former Liverpool midfielder Clough.

Two Liverpool fixtures have been rearranged. The trip to Fulham, which was scheduled to take place on Saturday May 7, has now been pushed back to Monday May 9 with an 8pm kick-off due to live television coverage.

And the home clash against Tottenham Hotspur the following Sunday has been put back an hour and will now start a 4pm.